Rutledge, Joses Sadler
4/11/1933
July 13, 1862-April 11, 1933 |
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| Rev. Joses Sadler Rutledge, youngest of five children of Joseph Sadler Rutledge and Nancy Catherine Cowan, was born near Evergreen in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, July 13, 1862, and died at Walker, La,, April 11, 1933. The Louisiana Conference has never had a more consecrated member than Brother Rutledge. The Holy Bible was truly a light to his pathway. In his family life he never neglected the family worship; he brought his children up In the fear and admonition of the Lord, and they truly rise up and call him blessed. His name was a household word in all the homes of the people he served so faithfully as a pastor, for he believed in visiting his people and he practiced it through all his ministerial life. Brother Rutledge did not have the best of opportunities in early life. He never saw his father, who was killed in the war between the States. When but a small child, his mother with her fatherless children moved to Ouachita Parish, where her people lived, and there on a farm he spent his boyhood days. He attended such schools as were then available, at the same time helping on the farm. At the age of fifteen he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which was the Church of his parents. For several years after his conversion he continued to live on the farm with his mother. There he heard the call to preach the gospel. He answered the call and was licensed to preach by the quarterly conference of the Lapine Mission, Delhi District, November 18, 1893, Rev. H. 0. White being the presiding elder. Feeling the need of further schooling, he enrolled as a student In Centenary College, then located in Jackson, La. For three years be was a student there, from 1897 to 1900. During this time he served as a supply near Woodvllle, Miss., and in the Slaughter and Ethel charge In the Louisiana Conference. In 1901 he supplied the Dry Creek Circuit At the following Conference held at New Iberia, La., In December, 1901, he was admitted on trial Into the Louisiana Conference and returned to the Dry Creek Circuit. At this Conference he was ordained a deacon by Bishop 0. P. Fitzgerald. While serving the Dry Creek Circuit he was married to Miss Sarah T’ . Kent, by Rev. H. Armstrong, at Ben Aml, La., March 17, 1903. To this union three children were born: Mrs. Pearl J. Kline, Miss Ens, and Glen, a son, of Gulfport, Miss. These, with their mother mourn his going away. In December, 1903, he was appointed to the Dry Creek and Glenmora Circuit. In 1904 Pine Grove Circuit, serving four years; Indian Bayou, 1909-12; Pine Grove (second time), 1913-14; Denham Springs, 1918-21; East Feliciana Circuit, 1922-26; Greensburg, 192 7-28. While serving the Greensburg Circuit his health failed and at his own request he was granted a superannuate relation. For two years following his superannuation he made his home at Greensburg. He then moved to Walker, La., where he could have a home near his children. He never failed to attend the services of the church, and be took part in all the services of church as far as he was able. Some time before his death he could hardly speak above a whisper, which interfered with him a great deal. But he was submissive to this. He was conscious to the last and, while he could not speak, he was able to raise his hand toward heaven as much as to say, “I will soon be over there.” The funeral service was conducted by Rev. K. W. Dodson, P. E., Rev. A. D. George, and his pastor. Rev. Robert Cross. His remains rest in the Denham Springs cemetery to await the resurrection morn. We can truly say “Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought; the victory won. Enter thy Masters Joy.” F. N. SWEENEY
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| Source: Annual of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Pages 81-82, 1933 | |
